“That match (6-2 win over South Korea in 1996 AFC Asian Cup) changed my sporting life because after that, I was transferred to Germany and my life totally changed,” Daei, who finished the tournament as top scorer with eight goals, told the-AFC.com earlier in the year.
Daei spent three years in the German capital with highlights including a brace in a 2-1 UEFA Champions League win over Chelsea and another goal in the San Siro against AC Milan.
“I learned many things [in Germany] and one of the most important things I bring to the Iranian teams now is the discipline I learned there,” added Daei.
The forward’s 109th and final goal for Iran came in a 3-2 friendly win over Costa Rica in March 2006, before Team Melli was eliminated at the first hurdle in Germany as Daei bowed out from international football.
“I think this record is for Iranian football, not only me. It is also because of other good players who were playing in the team with me and it was a gift from God. I think all records are there to be broken, so maybe it will be broken in the future,” said Daei.